Sunday, April 5, 2009

Our Celtic Jams are the best! Our jam won't spread on your muffins, but they will make your feet tap. As we write tonight six musicians gathered in our Cottage Room and jammed away on Celtic tunes and instruments. Three others dropped by to listen.

Tonight, Rob Metil is playing the banjo .Brett Gordon is phenomenal on the penny whistle and Button Box ,while helping keep the pace are Bodhran players Seamus Cusack, Jenda Domaracki and Ken Ketchum. Tim Rochford is strumming on his mandelin.

Whether you can play an instrument or want to tap your feet and absorb some Celtic ambiance, stop by at The Celtic Collection and The Cottage Room at 409 Lincoln Ave, Bellevue, PA 15202 on second and fourth Sunday evenings at 7 pm. Call us at 412-766-1044 if you would like more information.

Written by Susan Shegog and Bob Anderson in between breaks to enjoy music and dance...

Thursday, April 2, 2009

A 17 year old student is splashing water and preparing her clay as she readies her potter’s wheel for a new creation. Susan and I are part of the Career Day at Peters Township High School in McMurry. The Celtic Collection is one of the colorful displays that feature entrepreneurs, artists, writers, graphic artists, dancers, film makers and more. Our potter friends are part of the class by faculty member, Pam Graff.

I’m writing these blog thoughts while Susan tends our new display table and plays the bodhran drum while students crowd around to find out more about their heritage or the shop's offerings. It seems like everyone is Irish. Or, maybe the Scots aren't telling? Either way, several students gave the Bodhran drum a try with Celtic musician and Storyteller artist, Susan Shegog, giving hints.

A few pictures below tell the story that its lots of fun to see hundreds of students learn about the arts, education, and entrepreneurial ventures as part of their future possibilities.

Blogged by Bob Anderson with Susan Shegog at the Peters Township High School, 4/2/09.

About Me

I am a teacher at heart. I love being able to share exciting new information with people who want to learn. I have always felt that the process of learning should be exciting and encouraging . For this reason , I left teaching in a school building, to homeschool my children. I did it as much for me as for them. The world became our classroom and we were limited only by our imagination. My children have grown and are in college now , but I find the thirst for knowledge still lives in me.This yearning to know more of my ancestors and who they were, has been instrumental in guiding me to construct the small world I have created in Bellevue. I love to meet people who have snippets of stories and memories of grandparents or family members from the celtic nations. It is such a rich culture of tradition and storytelling. Music has influenced the lives of it's people and does no less today.I have the great pleasure of being introduced each new day to folks of all ages , looking for someone to share a story with or who want to know what tartan their family might have worn.